Smartwings Strike Compensation

One of the most common reasons for flight interruptions is flight strikes, which are often organized by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of European Union Regulation 261, according to which you might be entitled to compensation of up to 600 Euros.

Continue reading to find out how you can get compensation and when you qualify.

Your Passenger Rights

The good news is that every air traveler is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union law that sets the rules for assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at passenger rights, according to EU 261:

• The airline is required to provide passengers with information about their rights.
• In case of flight cancellation, a passenger has the right to choose one of these options: either a ticket refund or rebooking to the final destination under similar conditions;
• Passengers can expect to receive food and beverages; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
• If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is required to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.
• Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger

When You Are Entitled to Smartwings Strike Compensation

Often, Smartwings strikes involve their workers. These could be flight attendants, pilots, engineers, or any other crucial employees. As you now know, you have the right to claim compensation for airline strikes, if your trip was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you experienced due to the strike.

It is also essential to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events outside of the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not required to provide compensation. Importantly, if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, therefore such cases are within the airline’s control. That is when flight disruptions are caused by the airline’s own employees, they are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. As a result, passengers are entitled to claim flight compensation.

However, you need to be aware that each incident is individual, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.

Smartwings Strike Compensation

Before seeking the airline strike compensation, you should be aware of the conditions and the amount of compensation you might receive.

Smartwings Strike Flight Delay Compensation

The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for passengers. When airline workers go on strike, it can disrupt passengers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is important to be aware that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours due to a strike, you are eligible for compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.

In assessing the potential sum of compensation, passengers should take two critical factors into account: the distance of the flight and the delay length they experience. It’s essential to understand these details, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you are entitled to. Below you can find a table with the amounts of compensation you may get.

Less than 3 hours	Between 3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Distance
€0	€250	€250	All flights up to 1500 km
€0	€400	€400	All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0	€400	€400	All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0	€300	€600	All non-EU flights over 3500 km

Smartwings Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation

Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes cause flight cancellations. Under EU 261/2004, you may receive compensation of up to 600 Euros. Keep in mind that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline notified you about the cancellation less than two weeks before your travel.

Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the rules, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative flight must meet the conditions listed below:

Advance Notice	Re-routing Requirements
14 Days	None
7 – 13 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 Days	Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight

Importantly, if you used an alternative flight but your final arrival time at the destination point was still delayed, you have a right to claim compensation.

The amount of the compensation is determined by the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Take a look at the table below for more details:

Under 2 hours	2-3 hours	3-4 hours	Over 4 hours	Never arrived	Distance
€125	€250	€250	€250	€250	All flights 1,500 km or less
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200	€200	€400	€400	€400	Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300	€300	€300	€600	€600	Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Which Smartwings Flights Are Covered by EU261?

Regulation EU261 applies to every flight departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries if they are operated by airlines based in the EU. It also applies to flights to and from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway.

The table below shows which Smartwings flights are protected by EU 261/2004:

Itinerary	Covered by EU 261
Flights departing the EU airports	✅ Covered
Flights arriving at the EU airports	✅ Covered

How to Claim Smartwings Strike Compensation

If you’ve experienced flight cancellations or delays at least once, you understand how irritating it can be.

Travelers who experience any of these issues on Smartwings flights have a right to claim compensation, according to the EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:

1. Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.

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